DD not settling in pre-school. What to do?

[unravellingthemystery]

Also posted in pre-school ed. but thought this might get more traffic.

DD2 is 3.9 and started pre-school a couple of weeks ago. She went in no problem for the first few days and then we had a weekend. After the weekend she went for the first morning but was tearful for most of the time she was there.
I spoke to the manager and she suggested doing a 'settling in' which meant I stayed with dd for an hour the next day and then took her away. The next day I left her (she cried at first) but stayed for 1.5 hours as arranged.
Unfortunately she then came down with a bug - high temp and cough and missed a few days.
She has not settled this week at all. She likes the teachers and has made a friend but she is insistent on my staying there with her.
I am not sure how to proceed from here. The manager has suggested leaving her for an hour tomorrow (I stayed with her for an hour today, then popped out to the car for twenty minutes in which time she looked for me and cried)
She is a quite child, I am a SAHM and up til now she has not been in any sort of childcare. We don't have family locally so she is not used to staying with anyone else.
I think she will enjoy it once she settles in but I hate upsetting her.

Any suggestions on what to do?

Should I be firm and walk away leaving her to cry with the teacher - they are not keen on this at the school and neither am I.

Should I consider removing her for a few weeks to make a clean break and start again after mid-term?

Thanks

If the pre-school is not keen on you leaving her crying with the teacher then could you arrange to stay with her for a few sessions to help her get confident and settled again?

I really wish that I had had this option with my oldest, but the pre-schools we saw didn't offer it. But I have found one that does for my 2nd child. From experience I would prefer to go gently if you have the option.

In my experience in teaching in nursery and rec I find its best if you go in drop off and leave, staying around tends to prolong the issue. Each day the child tends to cry less and less and usually the crying only lasts about 5mins anyway after mum has left. The setting should take her and do something to get her busy and sidetracked. I know its harsh but it def works!!!

Also we always give mum a phone call after about half an hour just to assure them that the child has settled. Ask your setting to do this (but not infront of child). If child knows the call is to mum they will start again!!!